The Devil Is Driving (1932)

December 16, 1932

Edmund Lowe and Wynne Gibson in a Story Dealing With the Activities of Automobile Thieves.

By MORDAUNT HALL.

Published: December 16, 1932

Rapidity of action, competent performances, periodical wisecracking volleys and a few more or less ingenious notions are the main props of "The Devil Is Driving," the pictorial feature now at the Paramount. Little can be said in favor of the story, for it is wholly implausible, whether it is concerned with stealing automobiles, murder or love.

Edmund Lowe as an individual referred to as Gabby and Jimmy Denton, and Wynne Gibson as a girl with a past who enjoys the sobriquet of Silver, are the leading lights. Then there are Allan Dinehart, who appears as a scoundrel named Jenkins; Guinn Williams, who portrays a numbskull known as Mac, and James Gleason, who serves as a well-meaning fellow called Beef Evans.

A good deal of the action takes place in a big garage, the top floors of which are occupied by Jenkins, who heads a band of automobile thieves. These crooks, whom Jenkins rules with an iron hand, go forth on their nefarious missions, picking up roadsters, limousines and runabouts. Sometimes the police are hot on their trail when they dart into the garage with a stolen car, which is hurried to an upper floor and its appearance quickly changed.

As soon as Buddy Evans (Dickie Moore) appears with his toy automobile with a real horn, one anticipates that it will not be long before he meets with an accident. And this happens, the automobile thieves being responsible for running him down. He recovers, however, but is crippled and his father in seeking those responsible for injuring his little boy comes to an untimely end.

Jenkins, after Evans has been struck with a blackjack and killed, tries to avoid suspicion of the murder by putting the dead man in a car and sending it down the ramp into the street where it crashes into a truck. Gabby, however, does some clever detective work and proves by a photograph that Evans was dead before the automobile crash.

There is a trifling romantic interest furnished by none other than Silver, who acknowledges her affection for Gabby.

Mr. Lowe affords some amusement by his lively patter and general demeanor. Miss Gibson is acceptable in her rôle. Little Dickie Moore is splendid as Buddy and James Gleason does as well with his part as it is possible in the circumstances. Lois Wilson is sympathetic as Mrs. Evans, Buddy's mother, and Mr. Dinehart gives a virile portrait of Jenkins.

On the Paramount Stage.

George Raft, one of Paramount's most popular players, is making a personal appearance on the Paramount stage in a production called "Family Affairs." He entertains with a little talk which he tops off with an effective dance.

Others in the footlights show are Hizi Koye, of the San Carlo Opera Company, the David Bines ballet, Herman Timberg and Herman Timberg Jr. and Pat Rooney and Pat Rooney 3d.